OF PRINCES AND PROMISES

Caterina LaValle seeks to reclaim her social status by turning an awkward frog into a prince.

Caterina, Italian daughter of a millionaire, is the reigning queen of Rosetta Academy, an elite international boarding school. After a messy breakup, she is determined to prove she still has power over everything and everyone. When her ex-boyfriend brags that he’s bringing a supermodel to an upcoming gala, she knows she has to do better. Cue the sweet, socially inept Rahul Chopra, a boy from India who wants nothing more than to fit in and spend time with Caterina. When she proposes he be her escort to the gala, Rahul immediately says yes. With the help of a makeover, coaching in social interactions, and magical hair gel, Rahul transforms into RC, a smooth-talking, likable, supposed crown prince fit to be seen with someone of his date’s standing. As his two personas begin to collide, Rahul loses sight of what’s important—including his relationship with Caterina. This modern twist on “The Frog Prince,” told from the alternating third-person perspectives of Caterina and Rahul, has the classic appeal of a makeover story, focusing as it does on having confidence in your true self and being honest and vulnerable. Readers who enjoyed the first series entry, Of Curses and Kisses (2020), will enjoy this sequel, which features cameo appearances by characters they’ve met before.

A fun read for fans of modern fairy-tale retellings.